Encouragement in the Wilderness
By Elsie H. Brunk
Encouragement in the Wilderness: A Daily Devotional for Days of Discouragement, Depression, and Dispair
Almost everyone experiences emotional dryness. Some go from one desert to another. Others spend most of their lives in the wilderness. No matter what the cause, we share common feelings and questions on the journey.
Throughout the simple and direct devotionals in Encouragement in the Wilderness, my mother, Elsie H. Brunk, offers understanding, hope and encouragement for the weary wanderer seeking God's presence, love, and help. Through these brief but powerful meditations, readers are drawn to God's Word and learn how He provides refreshing "water" as we travel along the uncertain and often frightening paths of tough times, testing and insecurity.
3rd Edition
In memory of my wise and loving Mother, my mentor and my friend.
Elsie H. Brunk
December 1938 - April 2024
Elsie H. Brunk understood hardship from a young age. Losing her mother at three and her beloved grandmother at thirteen, she faced profound challenges early in life leading to an emotional breakdown. It was through on-going trials, Elsie discovered life’s most valuable lessons—patience, endurance, and a deep, abiding trust in God.
Elsie was a devoted wife of nearly 66 years, mother to four grown children and their spouses, proud grandmother to twelve, and great-grandmother to nine. In earlier years, she was a foster mom to five teenage girls and two pre-teen boys, demonstrating her compassion and commitment to others.
Elsie found joy in bringing encouragement to those who felt forgotten. She regularly visited shut-ins, sharing conversations, puzzles, domino games, and uplifting reading materials. Her passion for taking photos of the beauty of God’s creation—birds, flowers, sunsets, and more—revealed her deep appreciation for the world around her.
Though Elsie passed away in April 2024, her legacy lives on through Encouragement in the Wilderness, a book that continues to provide hope and comfort to those navigating life’s toughest moments.
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